44221: information systems review & assignment 1 by:ian perry room: c41c...

44221: Information Systems

Review & Assignment 1

By: Ian PerryRoom: C41CE-mail: [email protected]

Tel: 01723 35 7287

http://itsy.co.uk/ac/0809/Sem1/44221_IS/

Ian Perry Slide 244221: Information Systems: Review & Ass 1 Requirements

Why study Information Systems? An understanding of Information Systems

is vital to business management and information technology students: As all business organisations rely upon the

ability of their Information Systems to provide/support the knowledge required for all levels of decision-making, i.e.:

Strategic Tactical Operational


Learning Outcomes? By the end of the module you will be able to:

Understand why a distinction must be made between data, information & knowledge.

Identify the role of Information Systems in a given business context.

Relate theoretical models of Information Systems to business cases, by describing a given situation using systems terminology & diagrams.

Produce a working example of a computer-based Information Systems tool, which addresses specific business needs.


Data, Information & Knowledge Data = ?

A series of observations, measurements, or facts (transactions/events). [Collins Concise English Dictionary]

Information = ? Data + Structure + Context

The same data can give different information if a different structure and/or context is applied.

Knowledge = ? that which is gained by the possession of

information that enables people to have a ‘better’ understanding of a situation and/or make ‘better’ decisions.


Data is the ‘root’ of ALL Decisions“Data is only potential information; information is potential knowledge; and knowledge is potential competitive advantage if it is used in a creative, flexible, and above all, accurate way.”

Adrian M (1990) Let’s Get Serious. Focus News. Winter.


Need to ‘view’ Organisations as a System? What is a System?

A set of interrelated components which act together in an organised way in order to achieve an objective (i.e. a known/defined/agreed purpose).

As with data/information/knowledge, each System may be: defined/viewed/interpreted in different ways by

different people. Systems Concepts provide a common

language with which to describe Systems of all types. diagrams are VERY IMPORTANT.


System, Sub-System & Element Each System is composed of a

number of related Elements. Only elements which have a relationship

with another element of the system can be a component of that system.

Elements with close relationships should be grouped together into Sub-systems. A Sub-system is therefore a set of elements

which is a proper subset of the whole system.


Boundary & Identity There must be a way of defining which

elements are to be included within the system under analysis. All systems MUST have a boundary;

which encloses those sub-systems & elements that are components of the system.

All systems MUST have an identity; to distinguish them from other similar

systems.


All Systems ‘exist’ within other Systems These “other Systems” are referred to as the

Environment of the System. The Environment of most Business Systems is

composed of; Customers, Suppliers, Competitors, Government, Etc.

Must make a distinction between: External Environment - over which we have little

or no control, e.g. The Government puts up the rate of VAT; causing costs to

rise. Internal Environment - which we may be able to

control to some extent, e.g. Money is disappearing; so we implement a new security

system to attempt to catch the member of staff who is stealing from us.


A ‘System in Context’ Diagram

The System is composed of a number of Sub-systems (i.e. the Internal Environment).The System has a Boundary (which separates it from other Systems) and a ‘unique’ Identity (which distinguishes it from similar Systems).The System ‘exists’ within, and ‘interacts’ with, other Systems (i.e. the External Environment).

ABC Ltd.

Warehousing

CustomerServices

Manuf acturing

Competitors

Suppliers

CustomersGovernment

Economy

ABC Ltd.

Warehousing

CustomerServices

Manuf acturing

Competitors

Suppliers

CustomersGovernment

Economy

Shows that;


Connection & Interaction Systems do NOT ‘exist’ in isolation:

they are both ‘connected to’ and ‘interact with’ other Systems.

Connection between Systems MAY be: Permanent or Ad-hoc.

Interaction between Systems, in most cases, MUST be considered to be: A two-way process.


A ‘High Level Systems Diagram’

Customers ABC Ltd.Customer Services

Warehousing

Manufacturing

SupplierI nteraction

Competitors

SuppliersGovernment

Economy

CustomerI nteraction Manufacture

I nteraction

ManufactureCustomerServices

I nteraction

WarehouseI nteraction


ManufactureI nteraction

CustomerServices

I nteractionCustomer

I nteraction

Customers ABC Ltd.Customer Services

Warehousing

Manufacturing

SupplierI nteraction

Competitors

SuppliersGovernment

Economy

CustomerI nteractionCustomer

I nteraction ManufactureI nteractionManufactureI nteraction

ManufactureCustomerServices

I nteraction

WarehouseI nteractionWarehouseI nteraction

WarehouseI nteractionWarehouseI nteraction

ManufactureI nteractionManufactureI nteraction

CustomerServices



I nteraction

Names the Elements which are components of each Sub-System.

Shows the connections & interactions;

In addition to all of the things that a‘Systems in Context’ diagram depicts, this diagram also;

And

between this System & other Systems (i.e. in the External Environment).

between the Elements of each Sub-System (i.e. in the Internal Environment).


What next? Having previously ‘discovered’;

the main building blocks of the system under investigation, i.e.:

sub-systems & elements. and a number of important External

Environmental factors, e.g.: Customers, Suppliers, etc.

We must now explore the system in much more detail; especially the connection and interaction

of the components of the system.


Why? Our aim is to understand (i.e. name) the

Information flows: Connecting the System with its External

Environment, i.e.: Interactions between specific elements (i.e.

individual processes), of specific sub-systems; and other systems that exist in the external environment.

Connecting the sub-systems of the Internal Environment, i.e.:

Interactions between specific elements (i.e. individual processes), of specific sub-systems; and other sub-systems within the internal environment.


A ‘Detailed Information Flow Diagram’

Customer Services

Customers

CustomerI nteraction

Warehousing Manufacturing



I nformCustomer

CheckStock

ReceiveRequest

Request forProducts

Yes/Delay?

Are ProductsAvailable?

Yes!


Yes/No?

RequestMore

Need n moreof Product x

Manufacture n moreof Product x

Will take us y Days

AwaitingManufacture

Delay

ABC Ltd.

Customer Services

Customers

CustomerI nteraction

Warehousing Manufacturing



I nformCustomerI nformCustomer

CheckStockCheckStock

ReceiveRequestReceiveRequest

Request forProducts

Yes/Delay?


Yes!


Yes/No?

RequestMore

RequestMore

Need n moreof Product x

Manufacture n moreof Product x

Will take us y Days

AwaitingManufacture

AwaitingManufacture

Delay

ABC Ltd.

The ‘Elements’ are Processes which were ‘hidden’ on the ‘High-level Systems Diagram’.

Processes require ‘Inputs’ (i.e. data) and produce ‘Outputs’ (i.e. information).

Viewing Customer Services as the System.

NB. It is only at this level of detail that we know enough to suggest where IT might be employed effectively?


Assignment 1 Deadline = Friday, the 14th of

November Weighting = 50% of Module Marks Requirements:

Part 1 Analyse the current information system, as presented by the Case Study, using appropriate systems diagrams .

Part 2 Discuss where, and how, IT might be used to improve the efficiency and/or effectiveness of a specific part (i.e. sub-system) of the Case Study organisation’s information system.


The ‘CheapChip’ Case Study CheapChip manufacture kitchen cabinets for sale to

customers such as MFI, HomeBase and B&Q. These kitchen cabinets can be produced in a variety of styles,

sizes and colours. Kitchen cabinets are ‘made-to-order’ as a result of a request

from a specific Customer. Raw materials (i.e. Chipboard & Laminate) are

purchased from a number of suppliers. BOTH the raw materials and the finished kitchen

cabinets are stored in a small warehouse. Etc., etc.

I hope you have all READ the CheapChip Case Study VERY CAREFULLY.


Marking Guidelines1. Analyse the current information system, as presented by the

Case Study, using appropriate systems diagrams. (70 Marks) For this part of the assignment, you MUST produce TWO systems diagrams, i.e.:

a) A ‘High-level Systems Diagram’; showing the connection between:

specific External Environmental factors and named Elements within the sub-systems of the Internal Environment.

named Elements of the sub-systems of the Internal Environment.

b) A ‘Detailed Information Flow Diagram’, of ONE Sub-system (i.e. from your ‘High-level Systems Diagram’); which details (i.e. names):

the information flowing into, through and out of this Sub-system. There is no Word Count for this part of the assignment, as

all you have to do is deliver two diagrams; DO NOT include anything else.


Marking Guidelines (continued)2. Where, and how, might Information Technology be used to

improve the efficiency and/or effectiveness of a specific part (i.e. sub-system) of the Case Study organisation’s information system? (30 Marks)

i.e. With reference to your ‘Detailed Information Flow Diagram’;

discuss the employment of IT in support of the Interaction between this Sub-system:

and its External Environment. and its Internal Environment.

This document should be around 800 to 1000 words in length.


Assignment Hand-in Process You MUST hand in TWO copies of each

Assignment for this Module. BOTH copies must be submitted by 3pm of

the submission date. Electronic Copy (via Turnitin)

Class ID: 76870 Password: YZCW (in UPPER CASE) Code Name: E1 – IS Analysis

Paper Copy (to the School Office) With properly completed Front-sheets, including a

Turnitin Paper-ID, in the correct drawer of the wooden filing cabinet outside of CH5.


Don’t Miss the Deadline! The Assignment 1 Deadline is;

Friday, the 14th of November. There will be NO Lecture next week;

Lectures will re-commence after you have handed-in Assignment 1; i.e. on Friday, the 21st of November.

If you want any help with Assignment 1; then make sure that you attend the next

two Workshop sessions; i.e. Today & next Friday.

Good Luck!

44221: information systems review & assignment 1 by:ian perry room: c41c...

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